Method of and apparatus for locking printing blocks in position



April-5, 1966 G. ZEHNPFENNIG 3,243,337

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LOCKING PRINTING BLOCKS IN POSITION Filed May 17, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l V-)-\ U I) \Q2\ f l I glw) I X k J J lZZ W AI April 5, 1966 G. ZEHNPFENNIG 3,243,387

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LOCKING PRINTING BLOCKS IN POSITION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1963 United States Patent 3,243,887 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR LOCKING PRINTING BLOCKS IN POSETION Giinter Zehnpfennig, Walingsaiiee 53, Hamburgehnelsen, Germany Filed May 17, 1963, Ser. No. 281,097 6 Claims. (Ci. 33-1845) This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for locking single-color or multi-color printing blocks or chases in their correct positions by using a master sheet. The latter comprises a carrier having proofs, for example a sheet of paper, cemented thereon.

For locking printing blocks or chases in their correct positions required for a printing press, use was made heretofore of rules, register angles or the like, byv means of which the corresponding printing blocks were arranged to the correct locations in the form or chase (see for example German specification No. 1,086,717).

The use of the above mentioned rules, register angles or the like is not only complicated and time-consuming, but also a disadvantage inasmuch as a really accurate positioning ofthe blocks in the forms or chases is possible only when exercising great care.

The object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages. To this end, according to the invention, the proofs are made on transparent material, and by employing at least two reference points, the proofs are grouped on the support. The reference points of the master sheet made in this way are then transferred in laterally inverted form to the bases for the printing blocks.

The transfer apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that ,a. prismatic member is disposed on the imposing table between the chase and the master sheet and serves as a guide rail for prismatic elements which are provided with rollers and which receive rods which are used for the transfer operation and which slide on ball bearing sleeves transversely in relation ,to the prismatic member and which carry a scanning pin at one end and a transfer pin at the other.

One embodiment .of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the printing block fitted to its supporting elements;

FIG. 2 is a master sheet with three proofs;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line TIL-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan View similar to FIG. 5 but provided with a register cross;

FIG. 6a is a side elevation FIG. 6 in a plan view;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the apparatus, and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the apparatus.

The printing blocks made in the usual manner, for example three stereo-type plates 1, 2, and 3 (FIG. 8) are provided each with at least two apertures 4 and 5 (FIG. 1) into which fit pins 6 (FIG. 3) provided on the conventional supporting elements 7 or else in the shoes of chaniel beds (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4, those ends of the pins 6 (FIG. 3) which face the proof to be made from the block 1 have in annular collar 60 and, for example, a centering point ib. Instead of the latter, a register cross 60 may be prodded as shown in FIG. 6.

When a proof 1' (FIG. 2) is made with a printing )lock arranged as shown in FIG. 1, the ends 6a, 6b or 50 of the pins 6 are printed as a circle having a reference provided by way of example view of the pin shown in by the prismatic carrier blocks 18 and18' '27xand 28.

3,243,887 Patented Apr. 5, 1966 Ice point 6' as center or with a register cross as .shown in FIG. 6.

The proofs 1,2' and 3 made from'the printing blocks 1, 2 and 3 (FIGQ 2) .on preferably transparent material, for example a plastic foil, are then grouped'on a'support 8 which may consist, 'for example, of a sheet of paper or transparent material, to forma master sheet S. In the case OfmuIticolorprinting, theproofs printed i on transparent'material are superimposed in such a manner as to give accurate register of the print to be-made. From the foregoing it is apparent that the groupedproofs 1', 2 and 3' are arranged in laterally inverted fashionon the support 8' to form a master sheet S.

Before the method according'to the invention "is explained inpdetail, the transferapparatus shown in the FIGS. 7 and 8 will first'be described. The-FIGS. 7 and 8 show a chase 9 which is disposedupon an imposing table 10 and in which supportingxelements7 are mounted in conventional manner by locking means. The chase 9; resting .on the imposing table 10 isheldby. movable stops 11, 12, '13-:andf1'4, which are slidably adjustable, for .examplei-n .a .dovetailiguide 15.

The master sheet Srests with its support 8' on another table 8;situated.opposite'the imposing table .10. Between the two tables but mounted on the imposing table '10 is arranged a prismatic member 17 which serves as a guide rail for prismatic carrier 'blocks '18 and '18" which engage the guide rail '17 with rollers 20 and carry rods 21 which extenditransversely to the guide rail 17 and are usedfor the transfer operation. 'The-r0ds-21 slide 'horizontally on ball'fbearing'sleeves transversely to the prismatic guide rail 17 and carry at oneend a vertical scanning pin 22 and at theother end a vertical transfer pin 23. "These pins 22 and 23 arevertically slidably mounted in bearings 21a and .21bprovided on the rods '21.

To assure that the transfer operation to 'be described below is as accurate as possible,arms 24 and '25 are provided on the rods 21 and in parallel relationship to the latter they carry a guide rod 26 which isalso mounted in -bearings The lower face of the table 8 for themaster sheet S is provided with downwardly extending projections -29 adapted toengage corresponding recesses-295m the upper face of .the table 10 so'thatthe table 8 can be removed from the actual transfer apparatus at anytime. 'The table 8 is also supported by insertable horizontal members 39 which'are engaged by vertical-spacers 31- provided on the lower face of the table.

Both the scanning pins 22 and the transfer pins 23 may be connected by rulers, although this is not shown, so that supporting elements for the printing blocks and locking means may be suitably locked in the chase. The ruler includes a bar or link of a predetermined length connecting the pins at each end of the rods having openings or the like at each of its ends to receive the scanning and transfer pins to hold the rods in various longitudinal positions.

The transfer apparatus and the method according to the invention operate as follows:

After the printing blocks 1, 2 and 3 or more have been produced in the conventional manner and provided with the apertures 4 and 5 according to the invention, they are placed on the supporting elements 7 provided with pins 6 (or on the shoes of channel beds, see FIG. 3). The proofs 1, 2 and 3' are then made from these blocks on transparent material, and the ends 6a, 6b or Go of the pins 6 which act as reference points 6' are printed on the proof.

The resultant prints are grouped in laterally inverted manner on a support 8', which may, for example, be a sheet of paper or a transparent plastic foil, to form a master sheet S (FIG. 2). The latter is then placed on the table 8 associated with the chase 9. The scanning pins 22, which can be moved above the master sheet by means of the transfer apparatus according to the invention, are then lined up with the printed reference points 6 on the proofs and are pierced into the same. As soon as this has been done, the apertures 4 and 5 in the printing block associated with the particular proof are pushed over the transfer pins 23 which are situated opposite the scanning pins 22 and which, of course, can be moved to and fro by means of the rods 21 in the same way as the scanning pins, and the printing block is lowered onto the supporting elements 7 with guidance from the transfer pins 23 and is then cemented or secured in some other manner, whereupon the transfer pins are withdrawn from the apertures 4 and 5.

What I claim is:

1. A transfer apparatus for locking printing blocks and plates in their correct positions, comprising an imposing table, a chase, a table for supporting a master sheet arranged in close relation to said imposing table and in which said master. sheet is provided with position indicating marks, a prismatic guide member disposed between said tables, said guide member being of substantially triangular section with upwardly and inwardly inclined side walls and its apex portion extending above said tables, a carrier slidably and movably mounted on said guide member having walls corresponding to the walls of said guide member, a pair of rods mounted in spaced apart relation for independent sliding movement on said carrier and movable-in a direction transverse to the prismatic member, a scanning pin on one end of each of said rods, and a transfer pin on the other end of each of said rods, whereby said scanning pins can-be aligned with a pair of position marks on said master sheet and the printing plate or block supported by said transfer pins can be correspondingly positioned on said imposing table.

2. A transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which.

the chase which receives supporting elements is retained by adjustable stops mounted to slide in a dovetail guide.

3. A transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which the supporting elements mountedin said chase are provided with at least two register pins which fit into apertures provided in the printing blocks, said pins being of a length such that they leave reference marks when printed on the proofs.

4. A transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which the supporting elements mounted in said chase are provided with at least two register pins which fit into apertures provided in the printing blocks, said pins being of a length such that they leave references marks when printed on the proofs, the ends of the pins which are being used for the print including an annular rim with a centering point disposed therein.

5. A transfer apparatus according to claim 1, in which the supporting elements mounted in said chase are provided with at least two register pins which fit into apertures provided in the printing blocks, said pins being of a length such that they leave reference marks when printed on the proofs, the ends of the pins which are being used for the print being provided with a register cross.

6. A transfer apparatus for locking printing blocks in their correct positions, Comprising an imposing table, a chase, a master sheet having position indicating marks, a table providing a support for said master sheet, a prismatic guide member disposed on said imposing table between said chase and said master sheet, said guide member being of substantially triangular cross section with its apex portion extending above said tables, a pair of carrier elements removably supported on and movable along said guide member, and a rod mounted slidably on each of said carrier elements for the transfer operation, each of said rods being independently slidable transversely to said prismatic guide member, a scanning pin at one end of each of said rods, and a transfer pin at the other end of each rod, said scanning pins having points adapted to register with a pair of indicating marks on said master sheet, and said transfer pins being so constructed that they fit into apertures provided in the printing blocks, whereby said scanning pins can be moved into registry with said position indicating marks on said master sheet and said transfer pins will position said printing blocks in their proper and correct location on said imposing table.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,168,034 1/1916 Rogers 103382 1,512,015 10/1924 Butz et a1 3323 2,223,357 12/1940 Nahmens 33184.5 2,236,000 3/1941 Koessler et al 10121l 2,339,467 1/1944 Eckhard et al 33-184.5 2,428,428 10/1947 McCarter 10l401.1 2,433,421 12/1947 Bowness 33179.5 X 2,796,675 6/1957 Schwenk et al. 33184-.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 426,187 10/1947 Italy.

ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner.

DAVID KLEIN, H. I. STRNISHA, N. MARTIN,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR LOCKING PRINTING BLOCKS AND PLATES IN THEIR CORRECT POSITIONS, COMPRISING AN IMPOSING TABLE, A CHASE, A TABLE FOR SUPPORTING A MASTER SHEET ARRANGED IN CLOSE RELATION TO SAID IMPOSING TABLE AND IN WHICH SAID MASTER SHEET IS PROVIDED WITH POSITION INDICATING MARKS, A PRISMATIC GUIDE MEMBER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID TABLES, SAID GUIDE MEMBER BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY TRIANGULAR SECTION WITH UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY INCLINED SIDE WALLS AND ITS APEX PORTION EXTENDING ABOVE SAID TABLES, A CARRIER SLIDABLY AND MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEMBER HAVING WALLS CORRESPONDING TO THE WALLS OF SAID GUIDE MEMBER, A PAIR OF RODS MOUNTED IN SPACED APART RELATION FOR INDEPENDENT SLIDING MOVEMENT ON SAID CARRIER AND MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSE TO THE PRISMATIC MEMBER,A SCANNING PIN ON ONE END OF EACH OF SAID RODS, AND A TRANSFER PIN ON THE OTHER END OF EACH OF SAID RODS, WHEREBY SAID SCANNING PINS CAN BE ALIGNED WITH A PAIR OF POSITION MARKS ON SAID MASTER SHEET AND THE PRINTING PLATE OR BLOCK SUPPORTED BY SAID TRANSFER PINS CAN BE CORRESPONDINGLY POSITIONED ON SAID IMPOSING TABLE. 